Police suspect five deaths all related to bad heroin

AKRON — At least five people have died in Akron after taking what police believe is a “bad batch” of heroin, Akron Police Department (APD) officials announced last week.

Capt. Michael Shearer, commander of the APD’s Narcotics Unit, said several additional people have been recently treated in local hospitals after taking heroin but survived.

On June 17, two suspected victims, a 31-year-old Schiller Avenue man and a 58-year-old Florida man, were found dead. Three other heroin-related deaths also were reported in Akron over the previous two weeks, according to APD officials.

The APD is working closely with the Summit County Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services Board (ADM) on dealing with the increase of heroin overdoses and deaths.

It has not yet been determined why the current rash of heroin deaths has taken place, APD officials stated in the release. There may have been a deadly item added to the heroin, or the quality of the heroin may be the cause, according to APD officials.

Police are warning illicit drug users not to take heroin procured over the past few weeks.

They also advise if you or someone you know is addicted to opiates or heroin, help is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week by calling the ADM Crisis Center at 330-996-7730.